A father who encouraged his 16-year-old son to engage in a fist fight with another 16-year-old male over a girl, was arrested on Tuesday, Sheriff’s deputies said.
Philip Scott Struthers, 41, has been charged with child abuse and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Hillsborough deputies said, Struthers on April 9, at Twin Branch Acres Road and Bronco Drive, unlawfully and willfully encouraged his 16-year-old son to fight with another 16-year-old male. The males were fighting over a girl, deputies said.
During the fight, Struthers could be heard giving his son verbal commands to commit the fight, shouting, “Knock him out”, “Punch his eyes out”, and “Slam his head on the ground.”
Deputies said, Struthers made no attempt to stop the fight, which was all caught on home video and posted on the website “World Star Hip Hop”.
The Web link is: (www.worldstarhiphop.com/videos/video.php?v=wshh7dD7YTqTQZSXN9qs) titled:
What-Cha Want Me Ta-Do Ta-Him Again? Oh Yeah, Knock Him Out! Father Arranges A Fight After Kid Talks Mess About His Son.
On April 11, 2011 a neighbor called the Sheriff’s Office and reported the incident and directed investigators to the website where the video could be viewed.
Investigators obtained a warrant for Struthers’ arrest and he was taken into custody on April 12, around 6:10 pm.
